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Women’s and Children’s Hospital
Ngangkiku Ngartuku Kukuwardli
Acknowledgement
The Women's and Children's Hospital is located on the traditional lands for the Kaurna people, and we respect their spiritual relationship with their Country. We also acknowledge that the Kaurna people are the custodians of the Adelaide region, and that their cultural and heritage beliefs are still as important to the living Kaurna people today.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices and names of people who have passed away.

Coming to Hospital – For Women

If you are expecting a baby, this page describes when you might need to contact the hospital, and what you will need to bring with you.

On this page:

What to bring to hospital To take your baby home

You should contact the hospital if:

  • your water breaks (even though you may not be experiencing contractions)
  • your contractions are regular
  • you are experiencing increasing abdominal discomfort
  • you have any blood loss
  • your baby's movements have changed
  • you are uncertain about what is happening
  • you are concerned or anxious.

If possible please telephone before coming to Hospital

  • To speak to the midwife in the Women's Assessment Service, call (08) 8161 7530 or (08) 8161 7535

If you are being cared for by Midwifery Group Practice, please contact the hospital switchboard (phone (08) 8161 7000) and ask to have your midwife paged.

What to bring to hospital

Please view the following document (Page 8 – 'What to bring to the hospital'):

For you:

  • your Pregnancy Hand-Held Record
  • things you choose to use in labour (as discussed in antenatal classes)
  • casual clothes to wear during the day, if desired
  • night dress, dressing gown and slippers
  • maternity bra
  • comfortable underpants
  • toiletries, e.g. soap, shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste
  • nipple pads/washable nursing pads
  • 4 packets sanitary pads
  • your own pillow, if desired.

For your baby:

  • packet of disposable nappies
  • singlet x 2
  • long-sleeved jumpsuit x2 (it is advised to dress baby after initial skin to skin to help keep baby warm until they can stabilise their temperature)
  • baby care products, for example baby wipes and gentle lotions or creams (optional)
  • hat and mittens (optional)

We encourage you to breastfeed but if you choose not to, please bring one tin of infant feeding formula, 2 feeding bottles, screw caps and teats.

Disinfecting containers and anti-bacterial solution to sterilise bottles are provided for use whilst in hospital.

To take your baby home

  • 1 singlet
  • 1 nightgown or outfit
  • 1 baby jacket (optional)
  • 1 shawl or blanket
  • disposable or cloth nappies and two safety pins, plastic clips or fasteners and pilchers
  • mittens (optional)
  • 1 baby capsule or baby restraint for transport home – these can be hired from Australian Red Cross.

Please note that there are no secure places for storing valuables at the hospital. All your belongings remain your responsibility. For safety and security reasons, please do not bring personal electrical equipment, including mobile phones.